A Thousand Blows

There is a growth inside my belly.

This is Prince Albert Victor, second in line to the British throne.

I have land. A sugar plantation in Jamaica.

If you lead me to victory, then it's yours.

You can tell His Royal Highness, that I will continue to train.

But not here. He can come to Wapping.

Forty Elephants are back.

We need our... ...forgerer, forgerer.

Ladies, this is Sophie Lyons.

There's a dying oil man in New York.

There's a painting, and he will have it at any cost.

You fine women will help me procure the work, and you will be rewarded.

As a matter of fact, I have been sitting for Sir Frederic Leighton.

He's painting me.

He'd gladly enjoy your special skills at his soiree.

You're a mesmerist.

What use are you if you can't protect your own children?

You're many things, Treacle, but I never took it for a wife beater.

A whore who drowned in the London docks just days ago.

A rough man came to identify her...

Edward Goodson.

He will hang.

Unless I have your full cooperation.

- You seen Treacle? - No. Sorry, Sugar.

Seen your father?

No. Didn't come home last night.

There's still time to add you to this.

Sure you don't wanna fight?

You haven't given up by now?

We'll get a crowd in, get some excitement back in people's lives.

In the ring, you and my dad were heroes.

He needs this.

I told you.

Those days are done for me and your father.

Don't worry.

I'll bring him home.

What the fuck do you want?

Is your father around?

You can talk to me.

Well, I hear the fights are coming back.

I need a place to train somebody.

And I hear you're fighting on the barges, and I need a house fighter.

- I'll pay you. - No, me can't do that.

Look, you should have been World Champion.

Everyone knows that.

The whole of Wapping would turn out to see you fight again.

Don't you miss it?

No, I don't.

Tell you what, I'll give you 30...

No, 40% of the night's takings.

I'm sorry.

I can't.

Not here.

I'm not fighting again.

So why would I let you train here?

Well, I can pay you.

I'm training a rich man.

Ten shillings for half a day.

Fifteen.

All right.

And you finish fixing up the ring.

Maybe you'll get a taste for it again.

Please welcome Hezekiah "The Lion" Moscow!

What are you doing here?

But didn't you get my letter?

I thought I'd bring our latest shipment down myself.

You-You can't be seen here.

Mary's visited.

She can't afford any trouble and you're supposed to be a dead man.

I wanted to talk to you.

No, I need to get you out of here now.

Have you seen Hezekiah lately?

Don't go to Wapping.

It's too dangerous.

I'll be careful.

Thank you.

It's gotten rid of the last of it, and you're gonna be fine.

You should have come to me sooner.

I'm grateful.

Not everyone can afford this.

Yes, but you can.

So promise me you're gonna stay away from that factory now.

When are you coming back to Wapping?

We won't get another chance like this one.

You don't have to do this.

I can't abandon those women.

You of all people should understand that.

Have you seen your mother?

I'm going to.

Well, don't put it off.

May I, madam?

There's our target, Lord Grafton, Baron of Lewes.

Married?

Recently widowed.

They say the painting was in his late wife's family.

- Hmm, here they come. - Ah, s'il vous plaît.

Let the game begin.

Ah, un moment, s'il vous plaît.

Miss Crane, you made it at last,

and this must be the mesmerist from New York.

Miss Isabel Bridges, this is Sir Frederic Leighton, artist extraordinaire.

You're very welcome.

Lord Grafton, Mr John Budgen, may I introduce to you

my latest model, the mysterious Miss Polly Crane.

And this is Miss Isabel Bridges who will be entertaining us later.

Did I hear that you were a mesmerist?

Yes, you did.

Oh, I find it all so interesting,

the alchemy of art and science.

I look forward to seeing you in action.

And you, Lord Grafton?

I might need more persuading.

Good evening.

I have spent many years diving into the mystical world of mesmerism.

Perception, reality, consciousness,

these are all illusions to be manipulated and played with,

as I shall demonstrate tonight.

I believe Mr John Budgen to be enthralled by my art,

which makes him the perfect volunteer.

Please, Mr Budgen.

Although we met briefly before,

you have no idea what's about to happen tonight, do you?

I do not.

In a moment, your eyes will feel heavy and your body sluggish.

You are beginning to feel tired.

Very, very tired.

And sleep.

When I wake you, you will feel rejuvenated

except for the fact that you won't remember your name.

And wake.

What's your name?

It's Mr...

In a moment you will believe that you are not able to move.

You will stand up and try to take a step forward,

but you won't be able to move your feet at all.

And wake.

Could you come over here, please?

Of course.

You will now believe that the flame won't harm.

Lower your hand.

When I let go of his arm, he'll wake up and he won't remember anything at all.

What just happened?

Come and get your paper here!

Early morning delivery.

We're closed.

Hello.

Old friend.

What you doing here?

Hey.

You should not be here.

I didn't hear from you for a while.

I was worried.

I'm sorry.

Are you hungry?

How does revenge feel?

You know?

Yes.

So news travelled to Liverpool?

Mmm.

I hear second-hand about your exploits.

My revenge exiled me from a life that I now realise that I loved.

The people that I loved and the woman that I might grow to...

Uh-uh.

You're always full of surprise, huh.

It's perfect.

- Come. - Uh-uh.

Yeah, come on.

Ya have to tell me.

All I'll say is that she is a fellow lover of literature.

And a friend of Mary's.

Verity.

I take it you haven't forgiven Mary yet.

You might not want to hear this, but as I get older,

I see that life is short and the chances for love are few.

Please, can we just eat

and enjoy this time together?

I'll be leaving soon.

I used to run here with my friend.

Ah.

It's a good spot.

Him train me and teach me everything he know.

Keep me on my toes.

What do you think he'd make of my progress?

He'd say you have to work on your stamina.

It's time to get you back in the ring.

It's about bloody time.

Hello, darling.

Aw.

'Scuse me.

I'm guessing he won't last.

- Thomas Goodson, this is... - Eddy.

Goodson? You're not one of the famous fighting Goodsons, are you?

I suppose so.

It is an honour to meet you and to train here.

Is it always this quiet?

Not for long. Thomas has got great plans.

Hmm, I don't doubt it.

- Ready? - Yes.

- All right, come. - Nice to meet you.

Come on, get up. We don't have time for this.